slightly slow 1st, pushed along briefly, slight mistake 2nd, soon chased leaders, closed up approaching 3 out, pushed along before straight, jumped slightly right and came close with rivals 2 out and chased winner, one pace after, dropped to 4th near line
prominent in 2nd, slight mistake 4 out, pushed along from next, no impression and bumped 2 out and lost position, soon switched left, ran on without threatening run-in into 3rd near line
waited with towards rear, fell 6th
chased leaders in 5th, pushed along in 6th from 3 out, no impression from before straight, one pace
disputed lead early, tracked leaders, mistake 5 out, pushed along in 5th from 3 out on inner, not fluent 2 out and bumped with rival and chased winner, no impression in 2nd and slight mistake last, kept on same pace run-in
waited with towards rear, raced on outer, no impression approaching straight
tracked leaders, closed up from 5 out, not fluent next and pushed along, no extra straight, one pace
disputed lead early, soon led, slight mistake 4 out, ridden and went on from 2 out, slight mistake last, stayed on well run-in
A very strong line-up though Capilano Bridge is the only course winner having scored over 2m in November. He also landed a heavy-ground Naas handicap last month though takes on better company. Crosshill made a winning start over timber with an easy victory at Punchestown but made mistakes there next time and was beaten when falling in a Grade 1 at Naas. CAPODANNO is taking on much stronger company than when landing a 2m Clonmel maiden in style but, with his yard in unstoppable form, he can progress enough to complete a double. Slige Dala completed a hat-trick of victories in bumpers and over timber last summer and has run well in both subsequent starts while none of the remaining quartet can be dismissed.
Crosshill (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders on inner disputing 4th, ridden in 5th before 2 out, soon no impression, moderate 5th when fell at last, at Naas 2m 4f (1) hvy in Jan.
Capodanno (FR) 10-11fav (11-12) Led and disputed, pushed out to assert after 2 out, kept on strongly run-in, won at Clonmel 2m mdn hvy in Jan beating Dunboyne (12-0) by 7l, 13 ran.
Broomfields Jeremy (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Held up towards rear, progress entering straight, closer behind leaders before 2 out, switched out to challenge approaching 2 out, led after 2 out, ridden to assert before last, kept on strongly to go clear run-in, won at Clonmel 2m 3f hvy in Jan beating French Light (11-9) by 13l, 10 ran.
Slige Dala (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Rear of mid-division, not fluent 2 out, progress to 3rd and ridden before last, ridden into 2nd final 150 yards, switched left closing stages, not match winner, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Millen To One (10-10) at Leopardstown 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Dec.
Capilano Bridge (IRE) 9-2fav (11-5) Soon chased leaders, 7th after 2nd, closed up travelling smoothly approaching straight, slight mistake 2 out and soon led, jumped slightly left last, stayed on well run-in, won at Naas 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan beating Aarons Day (11-12) by 4 1/4l, 17 ran.
Castlebrook (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Prominent, tracked leader until led 3rd, headed 5th, 3rd halfway, dropped to 4th when left 3rd again 5 out, ridden and no impression after 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 32l behind Faugheen (11-10) at Limerick 2m 4f (1) hvy in Dec.
Carrolls Cottage (IRE) 11-1 (11-1) Mid-division and off pace, moderate 7th at 8th, pushed along at stages after, no impression 3 out, soon no extra, 6th of 8, dist behind Farouk D'Alene (11-5) at Limerick 2m 7f (1) hvy in Dec.
Velvet Elvis (IRE) 11-8 (11-10) Disputed lead early, tracked leaders, soon 3rd, slightly slow 3rd, closed up from 4 out, soon on terms, led from 3 out, strongly pressed run-in, stayed on best, won at Cork 3m mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan beating Mercury Lane (12-0) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
